Cherry trees belong to the Prunus genus, which includes hundreds of stone fruit species, and the answer to whether they have thorns depends entirely on the specific variety being discussed. Most homeowners encounter the large, cultivated sweet cherry (Prunus avium) and sour cherry (Prunus cerasus) trees, which are selectively bred for fruit production and are characteristically thornless. This absence of sharp projections is a feature of the major commercial and ornamental cultivars. The confusion often arises because the broader family includes many wild relatives that rely on defensive structures to survive.
Cultivated Versus Wild Species
The majority of commercially cultivated cherry trees lack natural thorns, having been developed over centuries to be easier to harvest and manage. Sweet cherry varieties like Bing or Rainier, and sour cherries used for baking, are intentionally thornless, making them the standard image of a cherry tree for most people. These varieties focus their energy on producing large, quality fruit rather than woody defenses.
However, the genus Prunus contains many species that are not grown for commercial fruit but are close relatives, and these often possess thorns. An example is the Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), a large North American native tree that sometimes features small, sharp spurs on its branches, particularly when young. More notably, the Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) is a thorny shrub closely related to plums and cherries whose species name, spinosa, directly refers to its dense, stiff, spiny branches. The Blackthorn is frequently used to form protective hedges. This species illustrates that the potential for developing thorns remains genetically present within the Prunus lineage.
The Nature of True Thorns
A true thorn is a specific botanical structure that originates from a modified branch or stem. These projections are rigid and woody, growing from the deep, internal vascular tissue of the plant. Because they are essentially hardened shoots, true thorns are structurally integrated with the tree and cannot be easily broken off without damaging the stem.
These specialized structures serve a protective function, discouraging large browsing animals from eating the young shoots and leaves. This contrasts sharply with prickles, like those on a rose, which grow only from the outer layer of the plant’s skin and are easily detached.
Structures Often Mistaken for Thorns
On thornless cultivated cherry trees, certain natural or damaged structures are commonly mistaken for thorns.
Fruit Spurs
One source of confusion is the presence of short, woody growths called fruit spurs. These are dense, slow-growing branches where the tree produces its blossoms and fruit. While these are thick and stiff, they are designed to bear fruit, not act as a defensive spike.
Broken Stubs and Snags
Another common misidentification involves sharp, broken-off branch stubs or snags created by poor pruning practices or storm damage. When a small branch breaks cleanly, the remaining woody stub can become hardened and pointed, superficially resembling a thorn.
Black Knot Disease
Hard, abnormal growths caused by fungal diseases like Black Knot can form rough, tumor-like masses on the branches of cherry trees. These growths may be mistaken for a defensive spike or spur. They are a sign of disease, not a natural part of the tree’s structure.